Welcome to the Mark Fidrych Foundation!

All things Mark Fidrych - his life, times, memories and continuing charitable work

The Mark Fidrych Foundation continues the legacy of Mark Fidrych through charitable giving. We have various fundraisers throughout the year, and an annual softball tournament. Check out our website for more...

We congratulate the Boston Red Sox

Northborough Rec recognizes support of Fidrych Foundation

We would like to thank Ann and Jessica Fidrych and the Fidrych Foundation for their very generous donation to Northborough Recreation in support of sports programming for kids with disabilities. The Fidrych Foundation has been the largest supporter and contributor to our sports programs for kids ages 5 – 22 with disabilities since we started five years ago. Originally, we started the program with Challenger Little League. Since then, we have grown significantly. We now run three sports a year: baseball, soccer and basketball. On average we have 100 – 120 participants and buddies per year participating in our special needs sports programs.

Our success is due to all of the hard work of the coaches, volunteers and the Fidrych Foundation. We want to personally thank Ann and Jess for being so supportive of this amazing program. Without them and their foundation we would not have been able to grow this program into the success it is today.

We plan to use their donation to grow all three sports and reach out to other communities in order to increase awareness about our programming and get more kids with disabilities involved with sports. For those of you not aware, the Fidrych Foundation is a nonprofit public charity. Their mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs through and with a focus on sports and sports education. Each year they raise funds at their annual softball tournament and target local agencies that make a difference in the lives of area children and their families.

Please note the Challenger Program will holding a Cornhole Tournament Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Texas BBQ, 309 Main St., at 1 p.m. Please sign up today for a team today. All the proceeds go to the Challenger program. More info can be found on our website: www.northboroughrecreation.com.

Allie Lane, Northborough Recreation DirectorCoach Jim Furlong

Our Annual Tournament

Our tournament was held August 18, 2018. We received the following the next day:

Making My Mark with the Fidrych Foundation

August 18, 201822robertsaToday, thanks to The Mark Fidrych Foundation, I was invited to play in their 8th annual charity softball tournament. They sponsored me and all the friends and family of the Northborough Challenger Baseball League. Like in past years, it was a great way to put a closing on my Challenger Baseball season. The Fidrych Foundation has sponsored my team for the last 5 years and I am so appreciative to have the opportunity to play organized baseball.

Today’s event, held at Memorial Field and Casey Field in Northborough, was even more exciting than last year’s event. I played third base on the Challenger/Miracle League team and my dad Ken played with me on the field at first. He batted after me and you can see us both on the bases below.

(l to r) Teamsters Local 25 Secretary-Treasurer Tom Mari, Jessica Fidrych, Local 25 President Sean O’Brien, Ann Fidrych, Christine, Bill and Liam Fitzgerald, and Fidyrch Foundation Board member Denyse TurpinTeamsters Local 25 President Sean O’Brien on May 3 presented more than $275,000 to 12 local autism non-profits, including a $10,000 donation to the Mark Fydrich Foundation, which continues the legacy of legendary baseball player Mark Fidrych, with an emphasis on enhancing the lives of children and adults with special needs through sports. The grant was made in the name of Northborough resident, Liam Fitzgerald, known internationally as “The Fist Bump Kid.”

Fidrych Memorial

The historical marker is being placed at Memorial Field, and it is one more reason that we invite you to help us celebrate this truly special day!

Ann Speaks to the Rotary Club of Westborough

The following was published by the Rotary Club of Westborough, and was written by club member Maureen Ambrosino

May 31, 2017 – It was a packed house at the Chateau for a presentation by Ann Fidrych about her late husband, Mark, and the foundation she runs in his honor. The Mark Fidrych Foundation raises funds to allow children with special needs to participate in sports.

One of the organization’s biggest events of the year is a softball tournament that’s held at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough every year. Every child who participates receives a trophy – for some of them, the first trophy of their lives. Ann describes it as a “simple pleasure that brings joy to the child and the family members, an amazing thing to witness.”

Ann also shared stories about Mark, who she described as being a hard worker and funny, but most importantly, grateful for all that baseball gave to him. He gave back to his community in return by supporting many, many local organizations. His mission was to “play it forward” and make a difference for people.

After Mark passed away, people would come up to Ann time and time again with stories of how he helped them, or things he did for them or for family members without a second thought. With tears in her eyes, she explained how heartwarming it is for her to hear stories or get letters and emails from children and parents who have been helped by Mark or the Foundation. It was hard not to be moved by her stories or the thank you notes she shared on Wednesday.

The foundation’s annual softball tournament is on August 26, and Rotarians interested in getting involved can contact the Fidrych Foundation through their website.

Ann on the RADIO

That's Ann on the radio! Thank you to 90.5 WICN and Westboro Toyotafor giving us the opportunity to introduce the Mark Fidrych Foundation to the WICN-FM audience. Listen to Ann’s message, and please share this with your friends!

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You help us make a difference.thanks againAnn and Jess

Did you know you can donate to the Mark Fidrych Foundation just by shopping at Amazon?

You can with the Amazon Smile Program. Click the logo for more information!

The Make Your Mark Tournament is a fundraiser to continue the mission of the Mark Fidrych Foundation. You can make your donation today.